4th MEB troops dive into water operations training

By Staff Sgt. Mark PattonAugust 19, 2014

4th MEB troops dive into water operations training
1 / 8 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Cpl. Denise Houston, a Ridgeland, S.C. native, hangs on to a Zodiac boat as she, along with fellow Soldiers, try to get the watercraft turned back over Aug. 14 at Fort Leonard Wood's Training Area 250 Lake. Troops from the Forward Support Company, 94... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
4th MEB troops dive into water operations training
2 / 8 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Cape Girardeau, Mo. native Robert Koeppel, a firefighter and EMT, who is in training to be a water rescue technician, practices rescuing an overboard boater, portrayed by Spc. Davina Francis, a Ramah, N.M. native, at Fort Leonard Wood's Training Area... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
4th MEB troops dive into water operations training
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4th MEB troops dive into water operations training
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4th MEB troops dive into water operations training
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4th MEB troops dive into water operations training
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4th MEB troops dive into water operations training
7 / 8 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Troops from the Forward Support Company, 94th Engineer Battalion, part of the 4th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade, 1st Infantry Division, were challenged with various tasks, including boat drills and swimming with waterproofed gear, Aug. 14 at Fort Leon... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
4th MEB troops dive into water operations training
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FORT LEONARD WOOD, Missouri -- Soldiers from the 94th Engineer Battalion's Forward Support Company spent a morning outside of their comfort zone as they conducted a water operations training exercise Aug. 14.

Troops from the FSC, 94th Eng. Bn., part of the 4th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade, 1st Infantry Division, were challenged with various tasks, including boat drills and swimming with waterproofed gear.

The water training was a different experience for the participating troops, whose daily tasks primarily deal with transportation, supply, maintenance and food service support.

"I'm actually terrified of the water," said Spc. Davina Francis, a Ramah, New Mexico, native and light-wheeled vehicle mechanic.

Fear didn't stop Francis, though, as she, along with her fellow Soldiers, paddled a Zodiac inflatable boat out into the waters of the Training Area 250 Lake before they capsized the boat and then worked as a team to flip it over and get everyone back into the watercraft.

"It helps to be a well-rounded and trained Soldier in today's Army," Francis said of the experience. "This gives you better insight of what goes on outside of the motor pool."

Capt. Darren Templeton, FSC commander and Greenville, South Carolina, native, pointed out that the reason his Soldiers train is to maintain trust and build confidence in themselves, their equipment and their leaders.

"If we ever have to do something like this, we know we won't drown and we can depend on each other," said Pfc. Gerard Jean-Baptiste, a welder and machinist, originally from Orlando, Florida.

The exercise also allowed another group to hone their skills. The Fort Leonard Wood Fire Department's water rescue team not only made sure the Soldiers remained safe as they trained, but the crew also rehearsed their response skills as they rescued Soldiers, who portrayed overboard boaters and swimmers in distress.

"I appreciate the chance to come out here and train and get hands-on experience," said Robert Koeppel, a firefrighter and EMT and Cape Girardeau, Missouri native Robert Koeppel, who is in training to be a water rescue technician. "It's a great team-building exercise."

Although the FSC Soldiers were drained from a morning full of rowing and swimming, enjoyed their day on the water.

Pfc. Orozco Luis, an Oxnard, California, native, joked that his day was probably more interesting than those of his Army fueler brethren that were assigned to different units.

"I'm doing this with a smile on my face," Luis said. "It's not false motivation."